Combination supporting garment



July 11, 1933. E. M. REEsE COMBINATICN SUPPORTING GARMENT Filed July 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l r Z 5r /b 565/541, 53a 57 6a 7.9 /9

July 11, 1933. E, M, REESE 1,917,543

COMBINATION SUPPORTING GARMENT Filed July 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 M5/ Eva/1l. fleets@ Patented July 11, 1933 i, 1

Unirse sTATEs EVA M. sansa, or CANTON, omo

COMBINATION e SUPPORTING GARMENT nppreaion inea July es,

lily invention relates to garments for bracing and/or supporting various parte' ofthe body of the wearer, such as the back, the abdomen, and the bust, and the present invention is a continuation in part of common subject 'matter set forth in my prior application for patent for combination supporting garments, filed March 1, 1931, -C'lerial No. 519,919.

Each user of a bracing or supporting gan ment has particular' requirements, depending on the 'particular age, size, and physical con dition of the user.

The portions Lof the body above the abdomen are so heavy that when the shoulders d-roop, the abdomen sags, and incorrect posture results.

in yorder to overcome such incorrect posture, it is desirable to provide support as may be required for the back and/or front portions of the chest and for vthe back and/or front portions of the yabdominal regions.

One person may require a brace back support member and a front hose support member, while another person may require `an ab'- dominal and hip support member, a bust support member, and a waist back support member.

r it is particularly desirable that brace back support members and waist back lsupport members be adjustable and yielding, so as to accommodate themselves to the varying physical characteristics of users.

The objects of the present improvements include the provision of a plurality of impro ved selectively interconnecting bracing, supporting, and covering members, each adapted for support` fg, bracing, or covering a igiarticular part of 'the body, or for supporting other members.y and some of the members being adjustable and yielding,v whereby the particular requirements of each individual use may 'be attained by selected combina tions of "the several members.

The foregoing and other objects .are a-ttained by the garments, members, parts, iniproveinents, and combinations, which comprise the present invention, and .the .nature of which is .set forth in the following general statement, and preferred Vembodiments of which arev set forth in the following descrip- 1932. serien No. 525,339.

tion, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming'part hereof.

In general terms the improved supporting n garments include` an adjustable braceb'acl member with yielding connecting .means, a adjustable waist back member with yielding connecting means, a combined hip and ab dominal supporting member, a front hose supporting member, and a vcombined bust, ""9 hose, and abdominal supporting member., together with selective connecting means, whereby either the brace baClKin-ember .or the waist back member maybe used in combination with any one of several of the other members for providing suitable bracing and support for any individual wearer.

Preferred embodiments of the improved i supporting garments in several dierentcombinations are illustrated in the accompany' ing drawings forming part hereof, in which Figurel is a fragmentary side peremective` view Yillustrating a woman wearing one combination .of theV members, in cluding the vad- M justable brace back member, and the front"*""1` hose supporting member;

Fig. '2, a fragmentary back perspective l view thereof,V i f Fig. 3, a fragmentary perspective view ila lustrating a man .wearing-one of the adjus-t- El able brace back members, and yconnectingV means enabling the use of the saine with trousers g Fig. il, a view illustra-ting .a preferredy P buckle-strap and eyelet connecting means for use in the arrangement illustrated in Fig;

Fig. 5, a detached outside view with some of the parts .disconnected illustrating the Adetails .of the construction and arrangement of the improved brace back member hereof; 9'@

Fig. 6, .a fragmentary perspective view -illustrating a Awoman wearing another combination of the members, including vthe adjustable waist back member, and the conn bin-ed hip and .abdominal supporting member; l A

Fig. 7, a fragmentary front perspective view of a. woman wearing still another combination of the members, including the members of vthe combination of Fig. 6, together 1x00 CII proved combined abdominal and hip sup'- porting member.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The improved supporting garments of tbe present invention include an adjustable brace bark member 11, an adjustable .'aist back member 12, a combined hip and abdominal covering and supporting member 13, a front hose supporting member 14, and a combined bust, hose, and abdominal covering and supportingF member 15, togetherwith connectingmeans hereinafter to be described in greater detail, whereby the brace back member 11, or the waist back member 12 may be used in combination with any one or severalof the other members` or in the ease of a man in combination with trousers, the'several combinations providing bracing and supporting;` garments adapted to meet the particular requirements of any individual wearer.

The improved adjustable brace back member 11 includes half members 11a and 117)` rev spectively, including laterally spacedinner verticalpreferably double stay braced edges 11G/r and 16.7). the double stay'braced edges beingT provided respectively with a plurality of similarly spaced eyelets 17a and 177).

On the back of the half member 11a, a diagonal double stay brace 18a extends upwardly and outwardly from a location at the bottom edge19cl. of the half member 110, preferably midway `between the inne-r edge 16a and the lower outer corner 200,.

A similar stay brace 187) isprovided for the half member 11b and the stay brace 187) extends upwardly and outwardly from a location at the bottom edge 197) of the half member 117) preferably midway between the inner edge 16o and the lower outer corner 2107).

The diagonal braces 18a and 187) are provided respectively with a plurality of similarly spaced guide eyelets 21a and 21o at the lower end portions thereof.

The half member 11a, furthermore includes a curved upper edge 22oJ terminatingr at an upper corner 23a from which a curved upper side edge 2iny extends outwardly and downwardly to an arm pit corner 25a at which preferably the upper end of the brace 18a terminates. As shown in the drawings, the arm pit corner 25a is preferably located substantially midway between the upper corner 28o and the lower corner 200,.

From the arm pit corner 25a thehalf member 11a includes a curved lower side edge 2Go whieh terminates at the lower outer corner 20a.

A shoulder strap 27a, is connected at one end with the upper corner 230), and is provided witli a of longitudinally spaced upper button holes 28ol adapted for making connection with one upper corner of the combined bust, hose, and abdominal supporting member 15, as will hereinafter be set forth in greater detail.

Below the set of button lmies 28a, the strap 27a is provided with another set of longitudinally spaced button holes 29a adapted for buttoning with the button 30a secured on the outer end of the strap 27a, whereby the outer end maybe looped through a preferably bone ring 31a, and the position of the bone ring 31a may be adjusted by selectively buttoniirer the button 30a in one of the button holes 29a.

The arm pit corner 25a iiconnected with one end of a preferably elastic brace and connector strap 32a, and the outer end of the brace and connector strap 32a is provided with a set of longitudinally spaced button holes 38a, whereby the strap 32a may be passed through the ring 31a and may be adjustably connected either with a button 34o secured adjacent the corner 20a., or with one upper corner of the front hose supporting member 14, or with one upper corner of the combined hip and abdominal supporting,T or girdlemember 13, as will hereinafter be setforth in greater detail.

Similarly, the half member 117) furthermore includes a curved upper edge 227) terminating' at an upper corner 237) from .vhich a curved upper side edge 2117) extends outwardly and eownwardly to an arm pitcorner 256 at which preferably the upper end of the. brace 187) terminates.

From the arm pit corner the half member 117) includes a curved lower side edge 267) which terminates at the lower outer corner 207).

A shoulder strap 277) is connected at one end with the upper corner 237), and is pro vided with a srt of longitudinally spaced upperbatton holes 28o adapted for making' connection with the other upper corner of the combined bust, hose, and abdominal supporting,r member 15, as will hereinafter be set forth. in `greater detail.

Below the setof button holes 287), the strap 277) is provided with another set of longitudinally spaced button holes 297) adapted for buttoning with the but-ton 807) secured on the outer end of the strap 277), whereby the outer end may be looped through a preferably bone ring` 317), and the position of the bone ring 31o may be adjusted by selectively buttoning' the button 307) in one of the button holes 296.

The arm pit corner 25.7) is connected with one end of a preferably elastic brace and JI f.,

connector strap 325, and the outer end of the brace and connector strap 325 is pro.- vided with a set of longitudinally spaced button holes 335, whereby the strap 325 may be passed through the ring 315 yand may be adjustably connected either with a button 345 secured adjacent the corner 205, or with the other upper corner of 'the front hose sup# porting member 14, or with the other upper corner of the combined hip and abdominal supporting or girdle member 13, as will hereinafter be set forth in greater detail.

A criss-cross brace lacing 85 is passed through the eyelets 17ay and 17 5 and 21a. and 215, as illustrated, adjustably connecting the side edges 16a and 165 together, and diagonal lengths of the lacing pass on the inside of the halfy members 11a and 115 and out through theeyelets 18a and `185 and are looped respectively through preferably bone rings 36a.' and 365 which are located respectively adjacent the corners 20a and 205.

Improved yielding connector means for the lower cornersoftlie brace back member 11 and for the looped rings of the lacing, are preferably provided at one side by means of a preferably elastic connector strap 37ay which is secured at one end with the corner 20a, passes through a connector ring 38a, and

" is secured at its other end with thelacing ring 36a, Aand at the other side by means of a preferably elastic connector strap 375 which is secured at one end with the corner 205, passes through a connector ring 385, and is secured at its other end with the lacing ring 365.

rlhe in'iproved adjustable waist back mem'-V ber 12 may include a diagonal stay brace 118m extending upwardly' and outwardly from a location at the bottom edge 119 of the waist/1 back member 12, at one side of the center thereof, and a similar stay brace 1185 extends upwardly and outwardly from thebottom edge 119 at the other side of the center there- The waist bach member 12 furthermore includes a curved upper edge 122 terminating at one side at an upper corner 123e from which a curved upper side edge 124101 extends outwardly and downwardly to an arm pit corner 125e at which preferably the upper endof the brace 118e terminates.

From the arm pit corner 125@ a| curved lower side edge 126@ extends and terminates at the lower outer corner 120e.

il shoulder strap 127@ is connected at one end with the up )er corner 123e, and is provided with a set of longitudinally spaced upper button holes 128ev adapted for making connection with one upper corner of the combined bust, hose, and abdominal supportingmember 15, as will hereinafter be set forth in greater detail. a

Below the set of button holes 128e, the strap 127e is provided with another set of longitudinally spaced :button holes 1290i adapted for buttoning with the button 130a secured on the outer end ofthe strap 127e, whereby the outer end may be looped through a pref erably bone nring 1316i, and the position of the bone ring 131e may be adjusted by selec-k tively buttoiiing the button 130e in one of the button holes 1296i..

The arm pit corner 125e is connected one end of a preferably elastic brace and connector strap-132e, and the outer end of the brace. and connector strap '132e isprovided with a set of longitudinally spaced button holes 133e, vwhereby the strap 132e may be passed through the ring llaand may be adjustably connected either with a button 134@ secure adjacent the corner 120e, or with one upper cornerof thefront hose supporting member 14, or with one upper corner of the combined hip and abdominal supporting or girdle member 13, as will hereinafter be set f forth in greater detail.

- Similarly, the curved upper edge 122 ternunates at the other side o1'- an upper cornerl `1235 from which a curved upper side edge 1215 extends outwardly anddownwardly to an armpit corner 1255 at which preferably the upper end of thebrace 1185 terminates. From thefarm pit corner 1255 a curved lower side edge 1265 extends and terminates at the lower outer corner 1205.

A shoulder strap 1275is connected.atone end withtheiipper corner. 1235, and isprovided with a set of longitudinally spaced upper button holes 1285'adapted for making connection with the other upper corner of the combined bust, hose, and abdominal supporting member 15, as will hereinafterbe Set forth i'n greater detail. -e

Belowvthe set of button-.holes12S5, the the strap 1275 is provided with another set of `longitudiually spaced button holes 1295 adaptedfor buttoning with the button 1305A secured on the outer end of the strap 1275,

whereby the outer end may be loopedthrough a `preferably bone ring 1315, and the position of the bone ring 1315 may be adjusted by selectively buttoning the button 1305 in one of the button `holes 1295.

The arm pit corner 1255 is connectedwith` one end of a preferablyelastic brace and connector strap 1325, and the outer end of the brace and connector strap 1325 is provided with a set of longitudinally spaced butt-on with 10sVV 12, are preferably provided at one 'side by means of a preferably elastic looped connector strap 137 a which is secured at its ends with the corner 120@ and passes through a connector ring 138e and at the other side by means of a preferably elastic looped connector strap 1375 which is secured at its ends with the corner 1205 and passes through a connector ring 1385.

The improved combined hip and abdominal supporting member 13 includes a pref-- erably stayed fabric back and-hip portion 40, a front or abdominal fabric half portion 41a., a front or abdominal fabric half portion 415, a preferablyelastic fabric portion 42a. connected between one side of the back portion and the adjacent side of the half front portion 41a, and a preferably elastic fabric port-ion 425 connected between the other side of the back portion 40 and the adjacent side of the front half portion 415.

The outer side edge 43a'of the half front portion 410J is provided as illustrated with a set of'longitudinally spaced eyes 44a, and the outer side edge 435 of the front half portion 415 is provided with a set of hooks 445 adapted for connection with the eye 44a, whereby the supporting or girdle member 13 may be put on and taken off by the user.

Rear garters 45a and 455 preferably depend downwardly from the back portion 40.

Al fabric flap 46a is preferably provided asV an extensionof the front half portion 41al and roverlaps the elastic fabric portion 42a.

A similar fabric flap 465 is preferably provided as anfextension of the front half portion 415and overlaps lthe elastic fabric portion 425.

At the'upper edge of the flap 46a a button 47a is secured for making selective connection, with one of the button holes'of one `of the brace and connector straps of either the brace back member 11 or the waist back member 12, and similarly a button 475 is secured at the upper edge of the flap 465 for making selective connection with one of the button holes of the other brace and connector strap of either the brace back member 11 or the waist back member 12.

- Preferably two strap and buckle connectors 48ar are secured on the iiap 46a and eX- tend therefrom over the back portion 40, and similarly preferably two strap and buckle connectors 485 are secured on the flap 465 and extend therefrom over the back portion 40 and toward the connectors 48a.

The upper connectors 48a and 485 are adapted for making selective connection with the lower connector rings of either the brace back member 11 or the waist back member 12, as is hereinafter set forth in greater detail.

The lower connectors 48a and 485 are adapted for connecting with the combined bust, hose, and abdominal supporting member 15, as will hereinafter be set forth in greater detail.

The front hose supporting member 14 includes a preferably stayed fabric abdominal covering portion 49 at each upper corner of which is provided a strap and buckle connector 50 for selective connection with the lower connector rings of either the brace back member 11 or the waist back member 12, and each lower corner of the covering portion 49 is provided with a depending pair of garters 51.

The combined bust, hose, and abdominal supporting member 15 includes a bust and Vabdominal covering and supporting portion 52, having upper corners 53a and 535, and buttons 54a and 545 are secured respectively to the corners 53a and 535 for button connecting respectively with the upper button holes of the shoulder straps of either the brace back member 11 or the waist back member 12.

A setof garters 55 is secured at each lower corner of the covering portion 52 and tapering tie flaps 560I and 565 extend respectively from opposite sides of the covering portion 52 and are provided at their ends respectively with 'preferably bone rings 57 a and 575,

whereby the flaps 56a and 565 may be over- Q lapped about the back of the user and the rings 57a and 575 connected respectively with strap buckles of either the girdle member 13 or the hose supporting member 14.

Combined buckle strap and eyelet connectors 58 are provided for enabling either the brace back member or the waist back member to be used by a man in connection with trousers.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a woman is illustrated wearing one combination of the improved garment members, including the adjustable brace back member 11, and the front hose supporting member 14, and illustrating the manner of connecting the members together, and one selected connection of the elastic brace and connector straps.

In Fig. 3 a man is illustrated wearing the improved brace back member 11 in connection with trousers and by the use of connectors 58, and with the brace and connector straps connected in their shoulder bracing positions.

In Fig. 6 a woman is shown wearing a combination of the improved garments including the adjustable waist back member 12 and the supporting or girdle member 13.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the combination of the members of Fig. 6 are added to by the use of the combined bust, hose, and abdominal supporting member 15.

The improved garments thus set forth may be selectively combined with each other as aforesaid, are adjustable to substantially any conformation of the user, and by theprovision of the yielding connector means as above set forth in detail, the improved garments are comfortable in use, and at the same time correct posture, as desired.

l claim:

l. Garments including a back member for fitting against the back ot a body, said back member having an upper corner, a lower corner and an arm pit corner located substantially midway between said upper and lower corners, a connector strap having one end connected to said arm pit corner and its other end connected to said lower corner, and a shoulder strap connected at one end to said upper corner and having at its other end a looped sliding connection with said connector strap.

2. Garments including a back. member for iitting against the baci; of a body, said back member having an upperV corner, a lower corner and an arm pit corner located substantially midway between said upper and lower corners, a yielding connector strap having one end connected to said arm pit corner and i its other end adjustably connected to said lower corner, and a shoulder strap connected at one end to said upper corner and having at its other end an adjustable looped sliding connection with said connector strap.

3. Garments including a back member and an abdominal covering member, said back member having an upper corner, a lower` corner of the back member or with the abdom-V inal covering member.

e. Garments including a back member and an abdominal covering member', said back member having an upperA corner, a lower corner and an arm pit corner located substantially midway between said upper and t lower corners, a yielding connector strap having one end connected to said arm pit corner,

a shoulder strap connected at one end to said upper corner and having at its other end a looped adjustable sliding connection with an intermediate portion of said connector strap, and the other end of said connector strap 'being adapted for selective detachable and nection with an intermediate portion ot' said connector strap, the other end of said connector strap being adapted for selective detachable connection with said lower corner of the back member or with the abdominal covering member, and a yielding connector strap connected at one end to said lower corner of the back member and at its other end to said abdominal covering member.

` 6. Garments including a back member and an abdominal covering member, said back member having an upper corner, a lower corner and an arm pit corner located substantially midway between said upper and lower corners, a yielding connector strap having one end connected to said arm pit corner, a shoulder strap connected at one end to said upper corner andhaving atits other end a looped adjustable sliding connection with an intermediate portion of said connector strap, the other .end of said connector strap being adapted for selective detachable and adjustable connection with said lower corner of the back member or with the abdominal covering member, and a yielding connector strap connected at one end to said lower corner of the back member and adjustably connected at its kother end to said' abdominal covering mem- EVA hl. REESE. 

